New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said it was aware of the death sentence handed to Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse in Yemen accused of murdering a Yemeni citizen, and assured that the government was providing all possible assistance.
The death sentence has reportedly been approved by Yemen President Rashad al-Alimi and could be executed within a month. Priya has been serving a prison sentence since 2017.
In response to media queries regarding the case, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We are aware of the sentencing of Nimisha Priya in Yemen. We understand that the family of Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter."
Our response to media queries regarding the case of Ms. Nimisha Priya:https://t.co/DlviLboqKG pic.twitter.com/tSgBlmitCy
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 31, 2024
Priya, hailing from Kerala, was handed capital punishment for allegedly murdering a Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017. A trained nurse, Priya worked in private hospitals in Yemen for several years since 2012. Her husband and minor daughter returned to India in 2014 because of financial reasons and in that same year, Yemen was gripped by civil war, and they could not go back as the country stopped issuing new visas.
Later in 2015, Priya joined hands with Mahdi to set up her clinic in Yemen's capital city Sana. She sought Mahdi's support because, under Yemen's law, only nationals are allowed to set up clinics and business firms.
According to reports, Priya had been allegedly held captive by Mahdi, who seized her passport, and subjected her to abuse and torture for years. In an attempt to escape and retrieve her passport, Priya injected Mahdi with a sedative, intending to incapacitate him temporarily, but the dose proved fatal, causing his death from an overdose.
Priya was sentenced to death by a Yemeni court in 2018. Her appeal to the Yemeni Supreme Court was rejected in 2023. With the president's approval, Priya's fate now depends on securing forgiveness from Mahdi's family and tribal leaders, which could lead to her release. The Indian government has been involved in efforts to secure Priya's release, with the Delhi High Court in 2023 allowing her mother to travel to Yemen to negotiate a pardon.
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